Believe in yourself and keep looking forward... that's the message from Steve Pointon, who is celebrating 20 years with OSCAR Pet Foods.

“In my previous career I found myself caught up in the politics of the banking industry and a lifetime of sales,” Steve says.

“We were a happy family with two children. Jacqui and I enjoyed life to the full while I continued to work, but we had always planned to run our own business in the future.

“Only when the family were old enough did we find the confidence to branch out, take the plunge and look at self-employment – the key to give us more time together. With a blank sheet of paper, we firstly considered the fast food chain for a fast turnaround – during which time we bumped into OSCAR and pet food.

"The principle of an OSCAR business was clearly filling a unique gap in the market, while my background fulfilled the criteria of the business – sales and people. Pets were a bonus.

“From the start, OSCAR showed us the way, giving us a product and service we had faith in. And over time we built a community. We were hands on with everything until our family life had to endure a sadness and I and my children had to move forward and find an inner strength.

"OSCAR was our life and it had to continue. I found comfort in the community – bringing people together to express their feelings. And where better can you find comfort than in owning a pet?

“There's nothing like having a cuppa and a chat, and working to maintain my own personal well-being takes me to all walks of life where there is always a new customer with a story to tell.

"In time I met Jean, who was more than happy to climb on board with OSCAR and is my right hand in technology.

"Having passed the COAPE course in animal nutrition she also keeps all the administration up to date while I continue to take full advantage of being able to work to suit my lifestyle and my belief in our future"